Are You Unknowingly Disabled?

In a world where opinions multiply at the speed of light, I ask you this: could you be unknowingly disabled? Not in the traditional sense, but a disability far more insidious—the kind that creeps in quietly, day by day, each time you let others’ voices overpower your own. This is the disability of lost conviction, the amputation of one’s true north, the severing of a leader’s clarity, rendered helpless by the accumulation of unqualified perspectives that flood our minds and drown out our own.

• The Danger of Unqualified Opinions

It’s frightening how easily we let others—mentors, colleagues, advisors, or even strangers—cast their shadows over our decisions. Consider the senior leaders I’ve coached who, despite climbing the ranks, find themselves unable to speak or act from their own hard-won convictions. Instead, they’re navigating based on noise: unqualified, context-lacking opinions pushed upon them as gospel truth. In the face of this, many of us have become parrots in our own professions, echoing views that don’t fit our reality, our environment, or our experience.

We have to face a hard truth: when we let others hijack our decisions, we stop seeing ourselves as captains of our own ships. Leadership becomes a mere response to external forces, devoid of purpose, passion, or true intent.

• The False Humility of “In My Humble Opinion”

Ever notice how “in my humble opinion” often precedes the least constructive feedback? It’s a soft introduction to a hard blow, one that rarely serves to uplift. I can recall many times when I braced myself as this phrase slipped into a conversation, signaling yet another round of opinion wrapped as wisdom. As leaders, we begin to believe that others’ perspectives hold more weight than our own experiences, exposure, or insights.

If we allow this barrage of opinions to erode our self-belief, we risk falling into the trap of self-censorship. I’ve responded to “humble opinions” with my “two cents,” belittling my insights to fit others’ frames. But why? Why do we shrink our own voice when it’s precisely our unique view that has shaped our journey?

• Turn Listening into Leadership

Now, this isn’t a call to stop listening—it’s a call to listen to the right voices. True listening doesn’t mean accepting every piece of advice as gospel. It’s about actively discerning feedback, keeping what aligns with our purpose and discarding the rest. Seek insight, not direction, and be careful not to let others steer the course. Ask the questions that keep you in control: What could go wrong with this direction? How might I reach my destination more effectively? These questions invite qualified perspectives while leaving the power in your hands.

I challenge you to think about whose opinions you’re letting in. Are they grounded in experience and context, or are they distractions, chipping away at your own judgment?

• Reclaim Conviction

In our era of constant noise, having conviction is a superpower. Imagine if leaders like you stopped letting others amputate your authenticity, your voice, your leadership. Consider the impact if you trusted your unique blend of experience, environment, and education as your true north. Reclaim your authority—to respect qualified insight without yielding your power. When we filter feedback through our own wisdom, we act from a place of authenticity, integrity, and purpose.

So I ask you again: are you unknowingly disabled by the voices of others? Are you willing to change that?